We would like to thank Carla Salas-Ruiz for this insightful article on The New School for Music Study’s upcoming events and offerings this year. Learn more about the NSMS by clicking here.
The New School for Music Study.
“Every child can know the joy of making music at the piano.” — Frances Clark, Co-Founder
The New School for Music Study (NSMS), the flagship school of The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, has been a national leader in piano teaching, learning, and performance for more than six decades. Founded on the philosophy of Dr. Frances Clark, whose transformative contributions reshaped music education in the twentieth century, NSMS continues to amplify the power of music-making for students of all ages and backgrounds.
This year, we are proud to celebrate 65 years of artistry, community, and innovation with a season filled with concerts, lectures, professional development, and joyful gatherings. Each event in the 2025–2026 season reflects the spirit of NSMS, offering opportunities to learn, connect, and be inspired through music.
Let’s celebrate 65 years together.
1) Lecture-Recital Series at Plainsboro and Princeton Public Libraries
During fall 2025 and spring 2026, faculty and students will present a series of lecture-recitals at the Princeton and Plainsboro Public Library, each highlighting unique musical and cultural traditions:
November 8, 2025 – Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns Dr. TianYi Lin & Nathaniel Maxwell: A lively four-hands program with live music, colorful visuals, and interactive elements designed to engage audiences of all ages.
November 13, 2025 | 6:30 PM – Music, Film, and More Dr. Molly Sanford: An imaginative lecture-recital featuring piano performance and film for an entertaining evening experience.
February 28, 2026 – Piano Music of the Americas Dr. Gonzalo Aguilar: An exploration of piano repertoire spanning North, Central, and South America.
March 7, 2026 – A Journey Through Chinese Piano Music Dr. Qin Ling: A program tracing traditional influences, modern innovations, and cultural meaning in Chinese piano literature.
March 14, 2026 – Impressions of Childhood Dr. Xiaoya Gao: Whimsical and poetic piano works by composer Akira Yuyama.
March 21, 2026 – American Voices: Celebrating Heritage & Women in Music Featuring members of the Program for Excellence in Piano Study students, in honor of the U.S. Semiquincentennial and Women’s History Month.
Faculty member Amy Glennon works with young students at NSMS.
2) Faculty Concert Series 2025–2026
Gratitude in Music: Celebrating Community and Legacy
In partnership with Nassau Presbyterian Church and Stonebridge at Montgomery, this special five-concert faculty series reflects on our roots and looks toward the future. The programs include solo repertoire, duets, chamber music, and Stonebridge resident-selected favorites.
October 5, 2025 – Gratitude for Our Musical Roots Nassau Presbyterian Church
December 20 , 2025 – Gratitude for Community and Collaboration Stonebridge at Montgomery
February 1, 2026 – Music That Moves Us Nassau Presbyterian Church
February 21, 2026 – Music That Moves Us Stonebridge at Montgomery
April 11, 2026 – A World United in Music Stonebridge at Montgomery
3) Piano Teacher Engagement Series: Teaching Together. Learning Together.
NSMS is excited to introduce the Piano Teacher Engagement Series—a year-long program of interactive seminars designed to inspire, inform, and engage piano teachers in all stages of their professional journey. Grounded in the pedagogical values of artistry, research, and community, this series brings together leading voices in the field for meaningful dialogue and practical insight.
Featuring 3 Guest Residencies
Dr. Susanna Garcia – November 5, 2025
Dr. J.P. Murphy – January 28, 2026
Dr. Diana Dumlavwalla – April 15, 2026
Additional Invited Lectures
Fiorella Araya-Cheng
Chiung-Yin Cheng Liu
Ingrid Clarfield
Jason Gallagher
Chiu-Ling Lin
Phyllis Lehrer
Nancy Modell
Danette Whelan
2025–2026 Sessions at a Glance
October 8 – Invited Lecture: The Art of Teaching: Then, Now, and Beyond Phyllis Lehrer & Carla Salas-Ruiz
October 22 – Empowering Parents: A Guide to Piano Learning Support Rebecca Pennington
November 5 (Guest Residency) – Start Early: Teach Two-Handed Coordination with Success Susanna Garcia
November 19 – Tech-Savvy Teachers: Social Media, Marketing, and Organizational Tools Molly Sanford
December 10 (Invited Lectures) – Studio Success: Mastering Management & Publicity Fiorella Araya-Cheng, Chiung-Yin Cheng Liu, Jason Gallagher, Chiu-Ling Lin, & Danette Whelan
January 14 – Motivating Minds: Understanding Child Psychology in Teaching Carla Salas-Ruiz
January 28 (Guest Residency) – Overlooked Albums for the Young J.P. Murphy
February 11 – Reaching Adult Learners: Insights from a Panel Moderators: Rebecca Pennington & Carla Salas-Ruiz | Panelists: NSMS Adult Students
February 25 – How Research Informs Great Teaching: Human Studies in Action Carla Salas-Ruiz
March 18 – Invited Lecture: Exploring Chamber Music Works for Young Pianists Phyllis Lehrer
April 15 (Guest Residency) – Motivate, Customize, Inspire: Refreshing the Vibe in the Modern Piano Studio Diana Dumlavwalla
April 29 – Teaching Strategies from the Classroom: What Works and Why Rebecca Pennington
May 13 – Inclusive Piano Teaching: Embracing Neurodiversity Rebecca Pennington
May 27 – Invited Lecture: The Joy of Discovering and Teaching Rare Recital Treasures Ingrid Clarfield
June 3 – Invited Lecture: Thriving Through Burnout (Panel) Nancy Modell, Danette Whelan, & NSMS Faculty
4) Special Community and Student Events
Our 65th anniversary year is filled with opportunities for students, families, and the community to gather, share, and celebrate music together:
September 28, 2025 – Ice Cream Social & Open House Music, laughter, and community fun to kick off our 65th year.
October 18, 2025 – Music Around the World Student Recital
October 25, 2025 – Spooky Sounds Student Recital
December 6, 2025 – Musical Merriment Student Recital
April 25, 2026 – Silent Film Celebration
May 16–17, 2026 – Recital Celebration Weekend
5) Donor Spotlights, Alumni Features, and Behind-the-Scenes Stories
Throughout the year, our digital platforms will shine a light on the people and stories behind our mission:
Donor Spotlights – Meet those who help our work thrive.
Alumni of the Month – Celebrate the journeys of our graduates.
Day in the Life – Step inside the experiences of our students, faculty, and staff.
NSMS faculty members Carla Salas-Ruiz, Rebecca Pennington, and Molly Sanford.
6) Stay Connected All Year
Be part of the celebration! Follow our 65th year through our website and social media:
